The Dance of Death or “la Dansa Macabra” is one of the rare theatrical set pieces related to the theme of death which has been documented from Medieval Catalonian times being performed today.

Among the many versions of the Dance of Death performed in Europe during the Middle Ages had a clear moral objective to show parishioners that everything withers, that no one,regardless of age, gender or social condition, escapes from the scythe of death which, without a doubt, puts an end to our existence.

This theatrical manifestation religious in tone and moralizing in character enjoyed great importance in Catalonia from XV century and has continued to do so to the present day.

This performance originates in the manuscript of the Macabre Dance produced in 1497 by the Royal Archivist, Pere Miquel Carbonell, and danced at the Cementery of the Innocents in Paris.

The central element is the Committee of Death, presided by the main character, Death, accompanied by his dogs who lead the way driving the Ash Carriage. Death knocks at the door. A character appears, and using the original text of the XV century, Death and his victim maintain a conversation. Death´s victims are:

the Usurer the Bride

the Captain the Bourgeois

the King the Doctor

the Judge the Bishop

chosen from amongst the thirty-seven characters who appeared in the original.